Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Where Your Contribution Counts!
    eNewsletter
    Support Us!
  • Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Celiac Disease Statistics

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Celiac disease is more common than Crohn's, or Multiple Sclerosis

    Celiac Disease Statistics - Rocket Launch. Image: CC--David Mertl
    Caption: Rocket Launch. Image: CC--David Mertl

    Celiac.com 03/29/2019 (Originally published 06/26/2007) - Celiac disease is one of the most common chronic health disorders in western countries. It is also one of the most under-diagnosed. Up until the late 90s, medical schools taught that celiac disease was rare, and only affected about 1 in 2,500 people. They also taught that celiac disease mainly affected children and young people. 

    Recent studies and advances in diagnosis show that at least 3 million Americans, or about 1 in 133 people have celiac disease, but less than 1 in 5 of those are ever diagnosed. 

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    Also, more and more patients are being diagnosed as adults. Moreover, more and more patients are being diagnosed with few symptoms, atypical symptoms, or no symptoms at all. Also, more and more patients are being diagnosed as adults. Moreover, more and more patients are being diagnosed with few symptoms, atypical symptoms, or no symptoms at all.
     

    Celiac Disease is More Common than Crohn’s or Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

    The National Institutes of Health shows the prevalence of celiac disease to other well-known conditions as follows:

    • Celiac Disease affects at least 3.2 million Americans
    • Epilepsy affects at least 3.4 million Americans
    • Crohn’s Disease affects 1.6 million Americans
    • Ulcerative Colitis affects just under 1 million Americans
    • Multiple Sclerosis affects nearly 1 million Americans
    • Cystic Fibrosis affects 30,000 Americans

    Black, Hispanic and Asian Populations Affected

    While celiac disease mostly affects people of European, especially Northern European, descent, recent studies show that it also affects portions of the Hispanic, Black and Asian populations as well. Celiac disease presents a broad range of symptoms, from mild weakness and bone pain, to chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and progressive weight loss. In most cases, treatment with a gluten-free diet leads to a full recovery from celiac disease. It is therefore imperative that the disease is quickly and properly diagnosed so it can be treated as soon as possible.

    High Cancer Risk for Non-Gluten-Free Patients

    If people with the disease continue to eat gluten, studies show that their risk of gastrointestinal cancer is 40 to 100 times that of the normal population. In addition to increased cancer risk, untreated celiac disease is associated with osteoporosis, and a two-fold increase in the risk of fractures, including first-time hip fractures. Moreover, an unusually high percentage of people with the disease suffer from the following related conditions (% in parenthesis):

    • Anemia (3-6%)
    • Arthritis (20%)
    • Ataxia (40%)
    • Cancer—Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (39%)
    • Cows Milk Intolerance (24%)
    • Dermatitis (5%)
    • Diabetes-Type 1 (12%)
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (20%)
    • Liver Disease (42%)
    • Migraine Headaches (4%)
    • Nerve Disease and/or Peripheral Neuropathy (51%)
    • Obesity (30-40%)
    • Osteoporosis (4.5%)
    • Osteomalacia/Low Bone Density (70%)
    • Pancreatic & Thyroid Disorders (5-14%)

    Screening Common for Related Conditions

    In fact, untreated celiac disease can actually cause or worsen some of these conditions, and medical guidelines now recommend celiac screening for all people with these conditions.

    The vast majority of people see doctors who have been in practice for more than ten years, for whom celiac disease is still seen as a rare condition, and often not considered when handling patient complaints. Make sure your doctor is up to date on celiac disease.

    Seniors Suffer More Celiac-Related Issues

    Seniors are also more likely than the general population to suffer from conditions associated (Arthritis, Diabetes, Liver Disease, Osteoporosis, etc). Without awareness and screening, they are at greater risk for developing disorders resulting from celiac disease--many of which are avoidable with diagnosis and treatment. Awareness of celiac disease and related issues offers seniors and easy way to improve their health and well-being.



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Guest Karen Fine

    Posted

    Excellent article and updated statistics from the National Institute of Health.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Nal Suresh Pai

    Posted

    Article does not mention effects of celiac disease on the brain (depression,ADHD, etc.)

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Alex Meaney

    Posted

    Thank you so much for having this website up, I am doing a big project on how celiac disease is a massive public health issue and this website has helped so much with statistics and general information!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Edmund

    Posted

    Article does not mention effects of celiac disease on the brain (depression,ADHD, etc.)

    Totally - I also am curious if ADHD link is more recent or not.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Estelle

    Posted

    While I understand that 1 in 133 is the "accepted" number it will GREATLY increase awareness.

    If the number is actually UPDATED to reflect the correct percentages...1 in 75 vs. 1 in 133.

     

    They also "accepted" that the world was flat! LOL...

    It is time for new data to support the gluten-free labeling measures!

    Since the "data" being used to support this is well over 25 YEARS old.

    (These were the EXACT same numbers used when I was diagnosed 25 years ago!)

     

    It is just as misconceived that you can not be a celiac unless your "skinny" .

    In order to further this cause in labeling awareness NEW data should be involved.

    As it is indeed more prevalent as we are seeing with more people being "finally" diagnosed

    daily. The number of these cases support this new data!

    Thus showing and supporting the need for CORRECT labeling.

    As well as new symptom "guidelines" need to be in-acted by the AMA so it does

    NOT take 10 years on average to be diagnosed. ( Thank goodness for you and your center!)

     

    Using out dated numbers is NOT furthering the cause as it has still taken 25 years.

    To even get a labeling initiative had the numbers been Correct and up to date this would have

    indeed been in effect years ago! It is time for all Celiac awareness groups to get together on this.

    Submitting data that shows that this is indeed just as prevent in many ways as other conditions.

    The higher the actual numbers the better the response and support for your program as well as other programs in the country.

     

    Kind regards,

     

    Estelle

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Fi
    Thank you so much for having this website up, I am doing a big project on how celiac disease is a massive public health issue and this website has helped so much with statistics and general information!

    I am too and I honestly believe this was the best article I read. Lots of useful information!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Bill D

    Posted

    It's hard to get good tasting gluten-free food. Better labeling would be a help.The quantity and quality of gluten-free food is improving as more of us are being properly diagnosed. Six years for my finding.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Hilary

    Posted

    Excellent article and updated statistics from the National Institute of Health.

    It would be very helpful if you would reference your articles so that original sources of the information could be followed up.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Carol

    Posted

    Somewhat helpful - somewhat misleading. From my readings, I do not believe there is a "full recovery from celiac disease." Symptoms can be relieved and absent yet the damage to the small intestines is never repaired. It is imperative to be diagnosed and, then if you have celiac disease, eliminate all foods with gluten forever. There is, to date, no cure.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    CJ Russell
    On 6/25/2013 at 12:36 PM, Guest Bill D said:

    It's hard to get good tasting gluten-free food. Better labeling would be a help.The quantity and quality of gluten-free food is improving as more of us are being properly diagnosed. Six years for my finding.

    It's not hard at all to get good tasting gluten-free food if you prepare it yourself. I use the same time-tested recipes that I've used for years, substituting gluten-free ingredients. The taste is very close to the same as the original and the quality is better than what I can buy in stores, as I can control the quality of the ingredients. Yeast breads are the only exception that I've found; it's very difficult to prepare homemade yeast breads that taste correct. The addition of vinegar to help with rising, which seems to be necessary when baking with gluten-free flours, changes the flavor.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 10/10/2008 - A team of Finnish researchers announced that they have found high rates of undetected celiac disease in elderly populations. They have also noted that a significant number of those older people diagnosed with celiac disease showed only minor symptoms. The study team was made up of doctors A. Vilppula, P. Collin, M. M¨aki, R. Valve, M. Luostarinen, I. Krekel¨a, H. Patrikainen, K. Kaukinen, and L. Luostarinen.
    Even with a wealth of new information on celiac disease from numerous recent studies, along with better testing methods, we still don’t know very much about rates of celiac disease in older people.  Motivated by that fact, the team recently set out to study the prevalence of celiac disease in elderly populations.
    In theory, celiac disease should occu...


    Jefferson Adams
    06/04/2014 - A Swedish research team study of nearly four decades of population-based data shows that rates of celiac disease are rising in most age groups of children.
    The research team included Fredinah Namatovu, Olof Sandström, Cecilia Olsson, Marie Lindkvist, and Anneli Ivarsson. They are variously affiliated with the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, the Department of Clinical Sciences, Paediatrics, and the Department of Food and Nutrition, all at Umeå University, in Umeå, Sweden.
    In order to assess variations by age, sex and birth cohort, and to determine the clinical impact of these changes, their research team recently looked at rates of biopsy-proven celiac disease in children in Sweden over a 36-year period. The team us...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 01/14/2015 - Recent epidemiological studies show that celiac disease rates are still underestimated, both in Europe and in Mediterranean regions. But how is better testing impacting higher celiac numbers in Europe?
    To get a clearer picture, a team of researchers recently set out to review the latest data on celiac rates and incidence in the European Union (EU) as of September 2014.
    The research team included E. Altobelli, R. Paduano, R. Petrocelli, and F. Di Orio. They are variously affiliated with the Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences at the University of L'Aquila in L'Aquila, Italy, and with ASREM in Molise, Italy.
    They assessed the celiac disease rates and cases by conducting a search of PubMed for papers in English using the key words "celiac...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 01/22/2016 - The number of children with gluten intolerance in one part of Scotland has more than doubled in just five years, according to a new survey.
    The results of the survey, which were presented at a major meeting of children's health experts, indicate that the number of children diagnosed with celiac disease in the Lothian health region rose sharply between 2010 and 2015.
    Between 2010 and 2014, data from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children revealed a total of 168 patients under the age of 16 with celiac disease, with 30 per cent of these diagnosed in 2014, compared to just 12.5 per cent in 2010.
    Statistics show 21 cases in 2010, a number which rises to 34 in 2012 and 49 by 2014.
    Doctors have not yet determined if the rise in celiac cases in Lothian is...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to SuzanneL's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Weak Positive Test

    2. - powerofpositivethinking posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      Oh the Anomalies! This Forum Helped My Dog and Me

    3. - SuzanneL replied to SuzanneL's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Weak Positive Test

    4. - cristiana replied to Larzipan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      16

      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

    5. - Julie Riordan replied to Julie Riordan's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      3

      Any ideas for travelling


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,506
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    NanaA
    Newest Member
    NanaA
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • JustGemi
    • Linedancegal
    • Hannah24
      9
    • jessiemariecar
    • Rhonda H
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...